Chunksmum

Sounds like classic separation anxiety, howling is a sign of stress. I'm surprised they know their dog is suffering from this and yet they still leave it for hours alone at night! As a dog owner of 2 dogs, one who had terrible separation anxiety when younger this can be fixed by some basic training by them, leaving a kong stuffed with treats and also Adaptil Spray (Adaptil is a synthetic copy of the natural comforting pheromone released by a mother dog to reassure her puppies) can be used in dogs of all ages, just spray in the area the dog is left alone in and last 4-5hrs. If it was me every morning after the night the dog had been barking I would go round there and tell that their dog was sounding incredibly stressed last night and how it is keeping you awake. I'd also inform them that there are basic things they can do to help the dog. They shouldn't be leaving him/her alone for such long periods knowing this so it's completely selfish of them.

Nancy's is amazing! There is nowhere local like it that I know off. Nancy's was originally going to be in Peckham, that would have been great. Please someone open a Nancy's Pantry locally!

Hi, I too have had an anaphylaxis reaction in the past which didn't affect my Botox treatment. I had deep frown lines between my eyebrows that was really getting me down which is why I first had Botox. I only need it once a year as it lasts so well and you really wouldn't know I had it done. I can spot most people who have had it done a mile off, shiny forehead which doesn't move and high arched eyebrows which is why it's important to see the go to the right Dr. My eyebrows are low and my forehead has plenty of movement I just don't have those deep lines anymore between my brows. For me Botox makes the world of difference in how I feel when I look at my face in the mirror and I no longer look as tired and worn out. It definitely is a face pick me up!

Harley Street Skin Clinic for me, amazing results without looking frozen! I had been to a place local once before but it didn't last nearly as long or look as natural. Waiting list can be up to a month or so at the Harley Street clinic but I wouldn't go anywhere else and have converted my friends too!

The muslin bags are great, we are just back from Spain and my son wore a 0.5 tog muslin bag and sleeveless vest, some nights just a nappy and bag. We had the air con on at night set to turn off at 3am. Without air con I would have used a fan as would have been too hot for him.

Hi, I have been questionned twice in the past and was told to send my partner through with my child or if travelling without then always bring copy of child's birth certificate.

I was on holiday in Spain at the wknd and in a shopping centre could hear a toddler crying in his buggy. I looked over to see a man (assuming his dad) pick up the teddy he had thrown on the floor, shove it back then smack in the poor child in the face area. I looked at the mother who was watching me with a shocked look on my face and the father did this another two times all whilst the toddler kept screaming! Holding my son around the same age I said 'oi you don't do that'! To which the mother asked what my problem was! I was so angry I was shaking! I told her she is my problem and you don't do that but it fell in deaf ears. My husband didn't see the smacking and thought I was just overreacting to something so ushered me away from the situation. It was only after when I explained he said he felt terrible for not confronting the father and should he go back there. I was still so angry but realised if we confronted them it wouldn't have gone well as she was already defensive and could have erupted into a huge row and with kids there not a good idea as if the father had tried to get physical then my husband would have battered him and being in a Spanish police station with limited Spanish between the pair of us and a toddler this was not the way to go. Plus we thought that us calling them out on their behaviour would probably make no difference and that they were just plain ignorant bullies. I'm not one to ever interfere in how strangers treat their children infront of me, but if a child was being hit then yes I would always say something to the parent. I certainly wouldn't shout abuse though! Babies/toddlers cry on buses that's perfectly normal, but I will admit if I saw someone totally ignoring their crying child on the bus I would have thought to myself just pick him up for a cuddle or try to reassure him but I wouldn't interfere in that situation.

http://www.cinnamon.org.uk/home.php A national fostering service is provided for pets whose owners face a spell in hospital - volunteers take pets into their own homes and supply love and care in abundance until owner and pet can be reunited.

Hi, I think there is something set up for when someone has to leave a pet alone due to being in hospital. I will look into it and get back to you. In the meantime how about having a local Dogsitter live in the house to give the dog company. Otherwise fostering is a good idea, a rescue may have a list of fosterers.

Ah great we'll be there tomorrow then, thanks

I do have her email but had no response! I recall it being cancelled last half term but maybe that was a one off! There is nothing on the website saying it is or isn't on.

Hi, Does anyone know if Tumble Tots at St Faiths Church is on as normal tomorrow? Thanks

Hi, That's terrible your dogs have been threatened! If it was me I would keep knocking on doors to ask if anyone left the note and also to ensure them you weren't aware of the barking and are addressing the issue. Putting an anti bark collar on is a terrible idea if it is a separation anxiety problem as why would you punish your dog causing fear for being anxious for not wanting to be left for long periods?! Also surely its a good thing your dog barks at strange noises for security reasons! Citronella aswell is horrible, spray yourself with it and see how it feels. A better and kinder to your dog solution is to buy Adaptil Spray (Dog Appeasing Pheromone Spray) which is a pheromonatherapy for dogs; relieving pet stress & anxiety. One of my dogs has terrible separation anxiety and spraying this all over his bedding stopped it. I don't know if you're dog has any other behavioural problems but seems extreme to call upon Robert Alleyn not to mention really really expensive just because your dog is barking a couple of hrs a day! Surely a long walk first thing in the morning before work (to tire your dog out) and someone popping in at lunchtime just to keep your dog company will make a huge difference. Also not sure what breed of dog you have but mine for example needs to be able to see out the front window when I'm not home so they can check out any strange noises they hear otherwise they would go stir crazy. Nylabones & Kongs are also great boredom breakers for dogs who are left alone at home for hours. I would advise do all of those things before calling a behaviourist. Good luck with address your dogs problem and so sorry to hear your dogs were threatened, I personally would install CCTV if it was me incase the crazy person who wrote you that note comes onto your property again then I would know who I was going to beat the cr@p out off!

I saw the rats on the bridge too! One ran towards me whilst another one was watching from the edge of the bridge! Completely freaked me out that I ran with the buggy off the bridge like a woman possessed! I really don't want my son to pick up on my fear of rats/pigeons. We had seeds bought from the cafe to feed the ducks and were told the bread people are throwing are attracting the rats aswell as being really unhealthy for the ducks.

Done :)

Hi, I know you found somewhere but I can highly recommend this buggy repair shop in Tooting, very reasonable prices far more than buggy pit stop. Its I and A Babycare, just next to Pizza Hut on Mitcham Road (its less than five minutes walk from Tooting Broadway station). It looks like a ladies dress shop, but when you go in it goes back a long way and has tons of baby stuff. I & A BABYCARE 84 MITCHAM ROAD TOOTING LONDON SW17 9NG 020 8767 8613

I've just bought The River Cottage Baby & Toddler cookbook, it's great as has recipes that the whole family can eat plus lists recipes that are seasonal.

Signed x

I'm on episode 15, how many left does anyone know? I can't wait to find out how it all ends but also don't want it to end as it's just so good!

I have some dog valerian tablets and a DAP (used to be called Adaptil) spray she can have if she wishes to try them out. One of my dogs used to suffer terribly from separation anxiety but is fine now.

I agree with Bellenden Belle, it certainly didn't make me chuckle. Did anyone read the comments at the end of the article? This was my favourite one: Wonder which group I'm in, I used to turn up, watch the girls go inside safely then go home to start preparing a meal as the wife went to work while waiting my turn on nightshift, I don't do small talk at the school gates, I don't scream F's at the kids and I certainly never had the time on my hands to hang around school playgrounds evaluating other breeds around me, occasionally speaking the "hello" word to acquaintances. Oh I see where you're coming from, you're that aloof prick with ample time on their hands who can waste it hanging around schoolyards before sauntering down to the local deli for an expresso, a read of the guardian and a croissant before hitting the typewriter keys to drivel on about the latest hot release from MGM, another F U C K I N G non-jobber the world could well do without.

I have given up with high street shops unless online as the choice for under 2's is awful! I do all of my sons shopping in Shoreditch or online, pop up on the east london line and there are some fab independent shops for children my favourite being Oh Baby London and The Purple Shop. Great colours and designs. Shops online I love are: Alexa & Alexa, Ollie loves Alfie, Bobo Chooses, Kidsen, Little Fashion Gallery & Zara. Love Polarn O.Pyret, honestly my 13mth old has a better wardrobe than me! I think there is more choice as they get older.

Thanks first mate, it was the first time the dog had bitten in 9yrs but then owners always say this and I'm can't be sure that's true or not! I had no idea it was going to attack, they sniffed and all seemed friendly, the other dog held up her front paw and wasn't standing tall face to face with mine or anything like that I recall it was as I pulled my dog away it lunged at her grabbing her face. Yes I understand first mate as my dog does warn some dogs off if they come close, she goes up on her back legs and barks looks very scary but that's all she does. She is not a biter. But everytime she has been bitten she had never warned the dogs off first, I wish she had. Out of all the times she has been bitten most of them have been the dogs biting and then retreating except by the two Staffies that kept repeatedly biting her and the Boxer who was wrestling with her on the floor trying to pin her down. Tried to call the owner again but on voicemail so may contact Trevor Cooper later, thanks all for your great advice as usual.

Thanks Elmgrove, this is really helpful information. He gave me his number at the time and once I phoned to say we took her to emergency vets the owners number. I will try both numbers again in the morning failing a response the police.

Thank you Joseph Holly I never knew that and tend to stick to Dulwich or Norwood Grove with her so will def head down to Peckham Rye. I really appreciate that info, Aquarius moon maybe you could take your Yorkies there too?